It is known that 3D printing is awesome. This technology can handle complexity with ease. Printing comes with pinpoint accuracy. Only the imagination is a restrictive factor. Mass customization is now possible.
Not all glitters
The problem is that people are also quickly disillusioned due to their high expectations. The 3D printing technology continues to have output and quality problems. The output can suffer from low resolution. Materials can also contribute to the loss of charm. Fragile and delaminated fused deposition modeling is also another factor which needs to be carefully checked.
To be fair, the materials are described by what could be melted, extruded, or squirted. This is however independent of the final usage. It is to be remembered that only two materials can be used simultaneously.
Another big 3D printing problem is that it can be too unreliable, hampering production and thus making uncertain profits. The work is complex. It involves managing multiple formats, mechanical adjustments, and parameters. The problem is so acute now that many printers have installed CCTVs simply to look at the result being made. This is not the case with 2D printers. It thus makes sense to buy a 2D printer and generate beautiful output on cups and other containers if you are not too sure about your financial capacity.
Output not
It makes sense to move the obsession from fancy 3D printers and their 3D printing to focus on actually what is being printed. If the output is not great, you can forget repeat customers. If you want to buy a 3D printer, wait for a time when the technological path is clear. The process must generate a high quality output. The technology must be reliable as well. It should be what any successful technology is: everywhere and invisible. The printer should be a box towards which nobody looks twice. The machine should be one click reliable.
The workflow in 3D printing is the same as other printing workflows. The approach is a linear one. The designer creates a design. The computer then documents and analyzes it. Problem with the 3D approach is the drawing is done twice-first by a designer, and then with a robot. This means the same old parts are repeatedly designed and the full power of 3D printing does not come into play. It is thus apparent that a better outcome can be had if the computer does all the work, The limitations of money and patience will thus be surpassed.
